Outside water heater close to the ocean

[StillHope]

Thank you for the filter maintenance info- something to consider when choosing a type of the unit.

[Daniel]

does it have a cover? it should be out of the weather.

Daniel R Diamond

[StillHope]

Daniel,I am not sure what cover you are talking about.It's on the exterior wall,the roof of the house is kind of covering it but it's short.

[Carey]

I think that this is the instruction manual for the unit you have (the L-5)... if it is, this is a portable unit that has the warning not to be left unattended:
http://www.eccotemp.com/Instruction%20Ma...nualV1.pdf

If this is the unit, the instructions seem to indicate it is for occasional, attended use... & probably should be upgraded to a household unit, like the L-10

[StillHope]

It is the one initially installed by the GC .Though on the building inspection it says "Paloma".I guess the inspector either didn't pay attention or has my knowledge of the units ( I thought Eccotemp is a make of Paloma as Scion is of Toyota[ since I was expecting Paloma to be installed].
It appears that one of my neighbors has the same one but he just recently installed it.
Anyway,it was "left unattended" for 1.5 years,may be I can leave it unattended a little bit longer?

[Carey]

The instruction manual also has some info on problems that may occur, and one of the ones not yet mentioned is: air in your propane tank...esp. if the tank is new....Depending on where we get propane, we have gotten an exchange tank at some dealers, rather than a refill....

Could your tank be new, or have air in it? The trouble shooting page has how to deal clear out any air, if that was a possibility...

ETA: the manual does also imply use in a home, even though it is a portable unit, but does stress that the unit must be used outside only.... & has no clearance info in the manual for an outside cabinet/locker type weather protection...so...

Have you looked at the great tax & financing options they have for solar??? (I know this is NOT the $$$ way you want to go... but... where you are, it probably would save a lot fairly quickly & give really nice hot water!

[StillHope]

Thank you,Carey.It might be more than electric problem but electric at least for sure - the ignition acted like a flickering bulb turning very bright just before burning out .
Getting an expensive unit would be close to the price of solar after tax deduction.
If assume that water heater propane consumption is 1/2 of my total(gas stove +) I'd have to wait more than 2 years just to pay solar off.

[StillHope]

BTW -hijacking the thread -how about the cost of solar water heater maintenance?

[robguz]

3 years so far, no solar water heater maintenance to speak of other than changing the hot water mixture setting twice per year to allow for warmer water during winter when there are 2 less hours of sun.

[StillHope]

Thank you,Rob.What is the basic warranty on the panels and the unit,any option to get a technician to service what is under warranty free of charge? It should be in most warranty cases but we are so far from Hilo ...Well,you know about deliveries and related stuff.